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How Much Have We Lost?

Monday, March 27, 2017

On Wednesday March 22, the 2017 Puller Institute students presented their 36th District policy projects and received certificates commemorating their completion of the program.

In 2016, I created the Puller Institute to honor my predecessor, State Senator Elizabeth “Toddy” Puller who served in the Virginia General Assembly for 24 years. Senator Puller was an avid fighter for the citizens of Virginia and this program is dedicated to her years of hard work for the 36th District. Over a decade ago, my predecessor in the House of Delegates, Delegate Kris Amundson created her Young Leader Program. Her program was designed to introduce top high school students in the Mt. Vernon area to Virginia State Government process. The Puller Institute is modeled after that program.

During this year's program, eight students from four different high schools traveled to
Richmond during the General Assembly Session to be immersed in the legislative process of Virginia. They observed the legislative process and meet with legislators, policy-makers, advocacy groups, and others. They also were fourtunate enough to meet with Governor Terry McAuliffe, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and Secretary of Education Dietra Trent.

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Today, Governor Terry McAuliffe offered his amendments to SB1398 which I introduced to provide better information to the public before we make final decisions on closing four ponds or impoundments holding millions of cubic yards of coal ash located in:

Possum Point, Dumfries, VA

Bremo Station, Bremo, VA

Chesterfield Station, Chesterfield, VA

Chesapeake Energy Center, Chesapeake, VA

While Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been following existing state and federal law, I have remained concern that DEQ needs more tools and more options need to be on the table.

Monday, March 13, 2017

Winter Storm Stella is bearing down on the 36th District. Here are couple important tips, websites and numbers to keep you safe, warm and dry:

Monitor your local news sources for the latest weather conditions, and check the National Weather Service for up-to-date storm information.

Prepare your home for winter weather conditions by closing all windows and doors as well as ensuring all lose items (furniture, children's toys, etc.) outside your residence are secured or brought inside.

Stay off the roads, if at all possible.

If you must drive, do so slowly and carefully, give yourself extra time to reach your destination, and leave plenty of driving room between you and the vehicle ahead of you. Before getting on the roads, do the following:

***Additional Updates Will Be Posted***

Monday, March 6, 2017

The following is my column that will appear in the Mt. Vernon Gazette, Springfield Gazette, The Mt. Vernon Voice, and the Potomac and Stafford Localsin the week of March 5, 2017.

Virginia General Assembly Approved New Policies

Last week, I reported on my accomplishments in the recent session of the General Assembly. This week, I am highlighting a few other important policy changes coming to Virginia because of our action.

First, we passed several bills addressing the ongoing opioid crisis which is causing carnage across Virginia. Community organizations will be authorized tothat possess the counter-overdose drug naloxone and after 2020 opioid prescriptions will only be allowed to be transmitted electronically to minimize forgery risk. We passed legislation authorizing Virginia to sign onto the Interstate Metro Safety Compact. This was absolutely necessary not only because of Metro’s ongoing problems, but to ensure that Metro continues to receive critical federal funding.

I have heard from several communities about problems created by AirBnB, a company that allows people to temporarily rent rooms or their homes. In some areas, neighbors feel like residential properties have become hotels. We passed legislation to confirm that localities’ can regulate these temporary rentals. The bill also authorizes localities to create registries for people renting their rooms for fewer than 30 days and to fine abusers.